Marc Guiu has found a place for himself at Chelsea, though it’s mainly in the UEFA Conference League. The young striker, who previously played for Barcelona, has become a key player for manager Enzo Maresca in this competition.
However, his involvement in Chelsea’s Premier League matches has been limited, with his only appearance so far coming on the opening matchday.
On Thursday, Guiu made a major impact by scoring his first-ever hat trick for the club. Chelsea triumphed 5-1 against c, extending their winning streak and staying top of their group with 18 points.
A perfect performance
Guiu played a crucial role in securing the win, netting two goals in first-half stoppage time to make the score 2-1 and 4-1.
His first two goals were quite similar, as he capitalized on defensive errors by the opposition to calmly slot the ball past the goalkeeper.
Marc Guiu scored a hat-trick against Shamrock Rovers. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
The third goal, which completed his hat trick, was a well-executed header, showcasing his aerial ability. With this performance, Guiu has now scored six goals in as many games in the Conference League, proving his consistency in the competition.
Joe Cole’s take on Barcelona’s mistake
After his impressive hat trick, there has been growing discussion in England about why Barcelona decided to let him go.
Former Chelsea player Joe Cole shared his thoughts, expressing his belief that Barcelona made a mistake by not holding on to the young forward.
“This boy, in two years, could be a starting number nine. I think Barcelona made a mistake,” he said as quoted by SPORT.
He compared Guiu to former Liverpool striker Luis Suarez, suggesting that Guiu could develop into a starting number nine in just a couple of years.
“My thought regarding Guiu is: how could Barcelona let him go? I compared him to Suarez and I received a lot of criticism for it,” he added.
This opinion sparked some debate, but it certainly highlights the potential Guiu has shown since making the move to Chelsea. His performances in European competitions are certainly catching the attention of fans and analysts alike.